While Mexico’s industrial identity is often defined by its automotive prowess, the electronics manufacturing sector in Mexico operates as an equally powerful, sophisticated, and foundational pillar of the nation’s economy. For decades, the country has served as a critical hub for the production of everything from consumer electronics to complex telecommunications equipment and advanced industrial components. Today, as global supply chains are strategically reconfigured, Mexico’s role has become more crucial than ever, positioning it as the premier manufacturing platform for the North American market.
This report provides a detailed analysis of the Mexican electronics sector, outlining its significant scale, its immense export power, and the highly specialized regional clusters that drive its success. For any international technology firm, understanding the depth and capabilities of this industry is fundamental to developing a resilient and competitive global strategy. The data shows unequivocally that Mexico is a mature ecosystem for high-technology production, supported by a skilled workforce and a vast network of world-class manufacturing facilities.
First and foremost, Mexico’s stature as an electronics manufacturing powerhouse is best understood through its massive trade volumes. The country is the second-largest supplier of electronic products to the United States, its most important trading partner. The total trade exchange (imports and exports) for electrical and electronic equipment in Mexico surpassed an incredible USD 238 billion in 2024.
The export figures are particularly telling. For instance, Mexico’s international sales of electronics in 2024 totaled USD 107 billion. The vast majority of these products were destined for the United States, which received USD 95 billion worth of Mexican-made electronics. This deep integration is a cornerstone of the North American technology supply chain. The industry’s contribution to the national economy is also profound, generating more than 2.5% of the country’s GDP and providing stable, high-skilled employment for approximately 400,000 people. This success is built upon a solid foundation of over 730 specialized electronics manufacturing plants, including facilities operated by nine of the top ten global electronics manufacturing services (EMS) firms.
The electronics industry in Mexico is remarkably diverse, with advanced capabilities spanning a wide range of products. The country is not limited to simple assembly; on the contrary, its facilities are responsible for the complex manufacturing of high-value goods for global markets.
The product ecosystem includes, among others:
Consumer Electronics: Mexico is a world leader in the production of flat-screen televisions. In addition, facilities across the country manufacture a wide array of audio equipment, home appliances, and other consumer goods.
Computers & Peripherals: The manufacturing of laptops, servers, data storage units, and computer peripherals is a major component of the sector. For example, Chihuahua alone exports over USD 22 billion in data processing machines and units annually.
Telecommunications Equipment: This includes the production of smartphones, network switches, routers, and other essential equipment for modern communications infrastructure.
Semiconductors & Components: While not a center for silicon wafer fabrication, Mexico is a critical hub for the assembly, testing, and packaging (ATP) of semiconductors. Furthermore, the country is a massive producer of essential components like printed circuit boards (PCBs), electrical wires and cables (over USD 17 billion in exports), and connectors.
This broad manufacturing base is supported by the world’s most sophisticated contract manufacturers. Industry titans such as Foxconn, Flex, Jabil, Sanmina, and Benchmark Electronics all have massive, state-of-the-art operations in Mexico, providing world-class production capacity for the globe’s leading technology brands.
The immense scale of Mexico’s electronics industry is concentrated in several highly specialized and synergistic regional clusters. These hubs offer a powerful combination of established infrastructure, a deep supplier base, and a concentration of specialized talent.
The state of Jalisco, and particularly its capital city Guadalajara, has long been known as Mexico’s Silicon Valley. This cluster is the country’s primary center for high-value design, R&D, and advanced manufacturing, with an ecosystem featuring 12 major OEMs, 13 leading contract manufacturers, and over 380 specialized suppliers. The world’s leading tech companies have a significant presence here, including major R&D and design centers for companies like Intel, HP, IBM, and Oracle, alongside major manufacturing operations for Foxconn, Flex, and Jabil. This hub has attracted over USD 4.16 billion in FDI for the semiconductor and component sector alone, cementing its focus on high-complexity products, software development, and product design.
Baja California, especially the city of Tijuana, is a powerhouse for consumer electronics manufacturing. Its strategic location bordering California makes it an ideal platform for supplying the U.S. market with unparalleled speed. The state is a leading producer of televisions and audio equipment, with global giants like Samsung, LG, and Panasonic operating major facilities. The cluster, which includes over 200 electronics companies, generated USD 19.3 billion in international sales in 2024. The presence of top-tier contract manufacturers like Foxconn, Jabil, and Benchmark Electronics further enhances the region’s capability to handle high-volume, complex production.
The state of Chihuahua has emerged as the undisputed national leader in the value of its electronics exports, recording an astounding USD 20.4 billion in 2024. The city of Juárez is a major center for the production of computer equipment, telecommunications devices, and various electronic components. This success is driven by its highly efficient, large-scale manufacturing facilities operated by companies like Foxconn, Jabil, and Keytronic. Furthermore, the state is home to over 160 electronics companies, making it a critical lynchpin of the North American IT hardware and telecommunications supply chain.
The northeastern states of Nuevo León and Tamaulipas are also major contributors to the electronics sector. Nuevo León, with its capital Monterrey, is a hub for industrial electronics and home appliances, leveraging its strong industrial base with major players like Whirlpool, LG, Siemens, and Hisense operating significant plants. Similarly, Tamaulipas is a key location for consumer electronics and automotive components, with companies like Panasonic, Corning, and Kimball Electronics running large-scale operations. Together, these states generated over USD 26 billion in electronics exports in 2024, making the region a critical part of the national industry.
The long-term sustainability of a high-technology sector like electronics is entirely dependent on its human capital. Mexico has cultivated a deep and capable workforce of engineers, technicians, and skilled operators who are adept at the complexities of modern electronics manufacturing.
Universities and technical institutes, particularly within the main cluster states, have developed strong programs in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, and information technology. They often work in close collaboration with the major manufacturers to ensure their curricula are aligned with the industry’s evolving needs. This partnership ensures a steady pipeline of talent ready to contribute to high-tech production environments. For instance, there are over 110,000 engineers graduating in Mexico each year, providing a rich talent pool for companies to draw from.
In conclusion, the electronics manufacturing sector in Mexico is a world-class, dynamic, and indispensable part of the global technology supply chain. It offers international corporations a powerful combination of large-scale production capacity, advanced technical capabilities, a highly skilled workforce, and unparalleled access to the North American market. As a result, Mexico has solidified its position as a premier destination for electronics manufacturing, poised for continued growth and innovation.
